Transcona ward up for grabs in Winnipeg civic election

The move by Russ Wyatt not to seek re-election in Winnipeg's Transcona ward means there'll be a new face representing them at city hall after the Oct. 22 civic election.

Wyatt announced on Friday that he has withdrawn his registration papers for the councillor position in Transcona, so he can seek the federal Liberal nomination in the area.

"He is the mayor of Transcona. I've heard that many times," resident Jeff Pearson said of Wyatt, who has represented the ward since 2002.

There are currently two official candidates vying for Wyatt's job: Blessing Feschuk and Ray Ulasy.

A third possible candidate, George Baars-Wilhelm, has not filed his nomination papers as of Monday evening.

Feschuk, a nursing student who is not connected to any political party, says she decided just a few days ago to enter the race.

"We fix the road this year, so two years later we have to fix the sewer. So now we have to break everything we just did to fix the sewer," she said. "I say hey, that's a waste of money!"

Feschuk's campaign slogan: "Voting is a blessing. Vote for Blessing!"

Ulasy has been campaigning all summer and says he's been hearing from residents concerned about projects such as the Plessis Road underpass, which is already over budget and behind schedule.

"I think our biggest challenge right now that I'm hearing is proper project management in some of our major projects," said Ulasy, who has the support of the Winnipeg Labour Council.

Transcona is not the only ward where the incumbent isn't running this fall. There are four other council seats that are available, along with the mayor's job.